P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull will wait longer to decide its 2026 Formula 1 driver line-ups, having intended to pick Max Verstappen’s team-mate after the Mexican Grand Prix
Red Bull has decided to delay the announcement of their 2026 Formula 1 driver line-ups, originally planned after the Mexican Grand Prix, where they were expected to choose Max Verstappen’s teammate.
The possibility of replacing Yuki Tsunoda with Isack Hadjar for a partnership with Verstappen has been widely discussed, alongside the uncertainty of the Racing Bulls lineup, featuring Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, or rookie Arvid Lindblad.
The decision timeline, previously set to be around the Brazilian Grand Prix, has been extended, indicating that Red Bull is evaluating Tsunoda’s improvement and his potential retention in the team.
Despite Tsunoda’s setbacks in Mexico due to a pitstop issue, his pace relative to Verstappen in qualifying and the race has shown progress, leading the team to consider all options before finalizing their driver choices.
Red Bull aims to avoid last-minute driver changes similar to the previous seasons and plans to decide before the Abu Dhabi finale, prioritizing team stability and competitive focus amidst Verstappen’s championship pursuit and constructors’ battles.
